State of Iowa Archives: on Drugs

Many of you know someone who has suffered from the wave of heroin and opioid addiction that is making its way through Iowa. This issue is very personal to me. To the thousands of Iowans impacted by addiction, I've been there; I understand your struggles.

In the past decade, opioid-related deaths have more than doubled, and will continue to rise unless we take action to reverse this heart-wrenching trend. My plan to address this epidemic includes, increase use of the Prescription Monitoring
Program, supporting enhanced intervention for Iowans addicted to opioids, and expanding medicated assisted treatment.

And today I am calling on the legislature to pass legislation to reduce the number of opioids prescribed in Iowa. This is a big step in the right direction. It will change lives and provide opportunities for a brighter future.

Source: 2018 State of the State speech to Iowa legislature
Jan 9, 2018

Rich Leopold:
Services for people still suffering with addiction

My passion outside public service is for people still suffering with addiction. For nearly 30 years I have volunteered inside treatment centers, jails, and prisons. My individual service is one of the things for which I am the most grateful in this
life, and will continue when I am Governor.

I know the value of hard work. I have earned my place, working my way from humble beginnings through perseverance, education, and a dedication to my faith and my family. We cannot go forward with name-calling

Andy McGuire:
Fund programs for mental health

The Reynolds administration has ignored the mental health crisis in our state and through regressive policies has only made it worse. Iowa now ranks dead last in the country for the number of psychiatric beds per capita.
And our state ranks 47th in the country for the number of psychiatrists per capita. With more than 120,000 Iowans with a serious mental illness, we must do more to address this growing problem...

As governor, I'll make mental health treatment funding a priority instead of cutting it.
I believe that when we provide help to those suffering from mental health illnesses before it's too late, we greatly improve quality of life and reduce the demands on our criminal justice system.

Chuck Grassley:
Ardent and vocal opponent of marijuana legalization

The race in Iowa probably represents reformers' most important opportunity to oust a staunch marijuana prohibitionist from the Senate in 2016. Incumbent Sen. Charles Grassley (R) chairs the Judiciary Committee and has long been one of Congress's most
ardent and vocal opponents of legalization. He has blocked bipartisan medical cannabis legislation from getting a hearing or a vote and has repeatedly criticized the Obama administration over its approach of generally respecting state marijuana laws.

In November, Grassley faces off against Democrat Patty Judge, Iowa's former lieutenant governor and secretary of agriculture. While Judge doesn't appear to have been especially vocal about marijuana laws one way or the other, replacing Grassley would
be an enormous win for pro-legalization forces.

Advocates believe they have the votes in the Senate to approve broad medical cannabis legislation but that Grassley "has been unwilling to bring it or any other marijuana reform up for vote."

Source: Marijuana.com on 2016 Iowa Senate race
Jun 13, 2016

Patty Judge:
Not vocal about legalizing, but opponent vocally against it

Incumbent Sen. Charles Grassley (R) chairs the Judiciary Committee and has long been one of Congress's most ardent and vocal opponents of legalization. In November, Grassley faces off against Democrat Patty Judge,
Iowa's former lieutenant governor and secretary of agriculture. While Judge doesn't appear to have been especially vocal about marijuana laws one way or the other, replacing Grassley would be an enormous win for pro-legalization forces.

Drug Policy Action, an advocacy group, believes they have the votes in the Senate to approve broad medical cannabis legislation but that Grassley "has been unwilling to bring it or any other marijuana reform up for vote."
Calling Grassley "the main obstacle to reform in the Senate," the group's spokesperson said that "if he loses, or if Democrats take back the Senate (depriving him of chairmanship), the prospect for marijuana reform greatly improves."

Source: Marijuana.com on 2016 Iowa Senate race
Jun 13, 2016

Jay Williams:
Yes, I did use illegal drugs, like other angry young men

You don't want to see my dirty laundry--and I don't want you to see it--but there is some, and if I get any traction at all in this campaign you probably will. You might be shocked, but probably not. I wasn't much different from any other confused,
hurt and angry young man. Yes, I did use illegal drugs, drink too much, lose my temper, go to jail overnight a couple of times and get some probation. Anyone who is really interested in the specifics can drill down if they
want to, but for me, now, what is important is that the suffering that I and those around me endured was not wasted. It caused me to accept responsibility, to try and understand the real motives for my
behavior and ultimately to realize that people can heal if they are honest, courageous and determined--and have the love and support of others.

Chuck Grassley:
End mandatory life sentence for three drug convictions

Republican and Democratic leaders in the Senate reportedly have reached agreement on a package of criminal justice reforms that they plan to unveil today, including shorter sentences for some drug offenders and a greater emphasis on rehabilitation.
Since the proposed legislation is supported by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), an unreconstructed drug warrior and fan of mandatory minimum sentences, you can be sure it does not go as far as it should and includes elements
that are hard to swallow. But on balance it sounds like a step in the right direction.

According to MSNBC, the proposal would "end the federal 'three strikes' rule." Presumably that refers to the mandatory life sentence for people convicted of three
drug offenses, as opposed to the mandatory life sentence for people convicted of two "serious violent felonies" plus a "serious drug offense." The Smarter Sentencing Act, introduced last February, would change the former sentence to a 25-year term.

Source: Reason Magazine on 2016 Iowa Senate race
Oct 1, 2015

Doug Butzier:
Legalize marijuana & all drugs; $80B wasted on War on Drugs

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Never legalize marijuana"?

A: I'm in favor of legalizing all drugs! We spend ~$80 Billion each year in the war on drugs, which is about half of all law enforcement expenditures. Just because you think it's
wrong for someone to use marijuana, doesn't give you the right to demand legislation to try and stop it. Prohibition has never worked and only breeds violent crime in our cities and in Central and South America.

Joni Ernst:
Voted to legalize medical cannabis oil

Yesterday the Iowa Senate approved by 36 votes to 12 a bill to legalize the use of medical cannabis oil for treating certain seizure conditions. The roll call in the Senate Journal shows that all 26 Iowa Senate Democrats voted for the cannabis oil bill,
joined by ten Republicans [including] Joni Ernst.

During the floor debate, several Republicans warned that passing the bill would send the wrong message to teenagers, leading to more recreational use of marijuana. That's hard to fathom, since the bill
does not legalize smoking marijuana, even for terminally or chronically ill Iowans who could benefit from medical cannabis in that form.

Key Iowa House Republicans and Governor Terry Branstad have made clear that for now, they would consider only a
bill to allow access to medical cannabis oil.

A sign of how far the political ground has shifted in the medical marijuana debate: Joni Ernst is in fiercely competitive GOP primaries for U.S. Senate, and voted for this bill.

Terry Branstad:
Medical cannabis oil ok, but nothing more

Yesterday the Iowa Senate approved by 36 votes to 12 a bill to legalize the use of medical cannabis oil for treating certain seizure conditions. The roll call in the Senate Journal shows that all 26 Iowa Senate Democrats voted for the cannabis oil bill,
joined by ten Republicans [including] Joni Ernst.

During the floor debate, several Republicans warned that passing the bill would send the wrong message to teenagers, leading to more recreational use of marijuana. That's hard to fathom, since the bill
does not legalize smoking marijuana, even for terminally or chronically ill Iowans who could benefit from medical cannabis in that form.

Key Iowa House Republicans and Governor Terry Branstad have made clear that for now, they would consider only a
bill to allow access to medical cannabis oil.

A sign of how far the political ground has shifted in the medical marijuana debate: Joni Ernst is in fiercely competitive GOP primaries for U.S. Senate, and voted for this bill.

Q: The US Sentencing Commission recently limited the disparity in sentencing guidelines for those convicted of crimes involving crack cocaine versus crimes involving powder cocaine. Should that change be retroactive?

CLINTON: I believe weíve got to
decrease the disparity that exists. But I have problems with retroactivity.

DODD: Iíd be inclined to say yes on the retroactivity.

EDWARDS: Iím not just inclined to say yes; the answer is yes, absolutely; it should be retroactive.

Q: The US Sentencing Commission recently limited the disparity in sentencing guidelines for those convicted of crimes involving crack cocaine versus crimes involving powder cocaine. Should that change be retroactive?

CLINTON: I believe weíve got to
decrease the disparity that exists. But I have problems with retroactivity.

DODD: Iíd be inclined to say yes on the retroactivity.

EDWARDS: Iím not just inclined to say yes; the answer is yes, absolutely; it should be retroactive.

KUCINICH: Yes.

Source: 2007 Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum
Dec 1, 2007

Hillary Clinton:
Reduce sentencing disparity for crack, but not retroactively

Q: The US Sentencing Commission recently limited the disparity in sentencing guidelines for those convicted of crimes involving crack cocaine versus crimes involving powder cocaine. Should that change be retroactive?

A: I believe weíve got to decrease
the disparity that exists. It is really unconscionable that someone who uses five grams of crack cocaine, compared to 500 grams of powder cocaine would face such disparate sentencing. And itís further compounded because the possession of crack cocaine
really is unique in the way that it leads directly to prison for so many people. So I am going to tackle the disparity. I think it definitely needs to be prospective on principle. I have problems with retroactivity. I think that itís something that a lot
of communities will be concerned about as well, so letís tackle this disparity, letís take it on. The sentencing commission hasnít come forward yet with its specific recommendation but Iím looking forward to seeing it.

Q: The US Sentencing Commission recently limited the disparity in sentencing guidelines for those convicted of crimes involving crack cocaine versus crimes involving powder cocaine. Should that change be retroactive?

CLINTON: I believe weíve got to
decrease the disparity that exists. But I have problems with retroactivity.

DODD: Iíd be inclined to say yes on the retroactivity.

EDWARDS: Iím not just inclined to say yes; the answer is yes, absolutely; it should be retroactive.

KUCINICH: Yes.

Source: 2007 Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum
Dec 1, 2007

Art Small:
Consider loosening enforcement of marijuana laws

The state can consider loosening its enforcement of its marijuana laws as some states have done or are considering doing. California is said to have saved $100 million a year in enforcement costs by relaxing its laws. A recent article on marijuana laws
observed: ďPROHIBITION supposedly divided America into three parts: wets, drys and hypocrites. Cannabis is now doing the same. One in three adult Americans admits to having tried the herb.Ē In short, I can find no quick fixes. There is no silver bullet.

Source: Governorís study on Crime and Punishment in Iowa
Dec 31, 2002

Art Small:
Drug treatment more effective than incarceration

More emphasis must be placed on treatment programs, both within the institutions and within the communities. Treatment and ďcoerced abstinenceĒ substance abuse programs can work, despite arguments to the contrary. True, the success rate and the effect on
recidivism is not what we would like it to be. But the solid evidence shows that treatment is cost effective. Dollars put into treatment pay a good return. ďTreatment is 15 to 17 times more effective in reducing crime than incarceration.Ē

Source: Governorís study on Crime and Punishment in Iowa
Dec 31, 2002

Jack Hatch:
Decriminalize medicinal marijuana

Hatch indicated he supports the following principles to address crime:

Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.

Bill Bradley:
No mandatory sentencing for first-time drug offenders

The first thing I would do [to address unequal justice for young African-American males] is bring the difference between crack and cocaine much closer together. I would then
try to take a look at mandatory first-time, nonviolent drug offenders and say, does mandatory sentencing make sense there? I donít think it does.

Source: Democrat Debate in Des Moines, Iowa
Jan 17, 2000

Elizabeth Dole:
Applauds community-based fight against drug epidemic

We must choose to return safety to our streets and moral seriousness to our war on drugs. Drug use among our youth is up 141% among teenagers in recent years. I know, Senator Grassley, that youíve put together an anti-drug coalition, called Face It
Together (FIT), which seeks to bring people together in a community-based approach to fight this epidemic; parents, students, businesses, our religious leaders, law enforcement, and the media. And I applaud you efforts.